Class of 2015 promoted, inducted into the Corps of Cadets

The Class of 2015 took center stage during Saturday’s Parents Weekend activities at The Citadel.

Members of the Class of 2015 were promoted from cadet recruits to cadet privates, signifying the end of the cadre training period that began when they matriculated in August. During a promotion ceremony in each of The Citadel’s five cadet battalions the freshmen received their company letters.

The 658 members of the Fourth Class were promoted and inducted into the South Carolina Corps of Cadets, and members of their cadre were honored for outstanding discipline and leadership during the cadre training period. In addition, the best drilled squad of freshmen in the Corps was recognized with the Kelly Cup award.

On Friday, seniors in the Class of 2012 received their class rings – an annual Parents’ Weekend concludes on Sunday. The Citadel Alumni Association and Palmetto Balfour, the official provider of The Citadel ring, also unveiled a statue of The Citadel ring. It stands at the intersection where Avenue of Remembrance and Lee and Hagood avenues meet.

“On behalf of The Citadel family, I congratulate our cadets on their achievements that we celebrate during Parents Weekend,” said Lt. Gen. John W. Rosa, president of The Citadel. “For seniors, receiving their class rings signifies that upon graduation they will join the ranks of Citadel alumni. Freshmen are no longer recruits, joining the Corps of Cadets as privates, which is an important step in their leadership development.”

Members of the Class of 2015 were promoted from cadet recruits to cadet privates, signifying the end of the cadre training period that began when they matriculated in August. During a promotion ceremony in each of The Citadel’s five cadet battalions the freshmen received their company letters, which will be worn on their uniform shirt collar. Afterward, during the military dress parade, the Fourth Class was officially inducted into the South Carolina Corps of Cadets. The Class of 2015 is now fully integrated into the Corps but will continue its 4th Class duties and responsibilities until Recognition Day in the spring.

During the dress parade, Mark and Susan Collier, parents of Cadet Col. Matt Collier, the 2012 regimental commander, represented all parents in a special jeep review and on the reviewing line. Also during parade the awards were presented to the cadet companies that showed outstanding leadership and performance during the cadre training period and through drill, physical training and knob knowledge.

Sgt. Ken Greene inspects Kelly Cup competitiors during Saturday's drill competition. Each year cadet companies compete for the Kelly Cup, which is awarded to the best-drilled fourth-class squad in the Corps of Cadets. The 2011 Kelly Cup goes to Sierra Company.

The Cadre Leadership Award recognizes squad sergeants for physical fitness, knowledge of training regulations, ability to teach drill and ceremonies and inspection techniques. The award was created by the training and operations division of the Commandant of Cadets.

Cadet Sgt. Alexa Dahlstrom of Romeo Company and Cadet Cpl. Jullian Meyer of Delta Company were honored as the top squad sergeants for fall sports cadre.

Earning top cadre squad sergeant recognition for working with the Class of 2015 during the training period are Cadet Sgt. 1st Class Christian Datz, Cadet Staff Sgt. Andrew Riddle and Cadet Sgt. 1st Class Clinton Wilber, all of Charlie Company. Each cadet’s name will be engraved on the cadre leadership trophy displayed in Jenkins Hall.

The Regimental Commander's Bowl for 2011 goes to Echo Company. The award was established in 1972 to recognize the cadet company with the most successful cadre as demonstrated by the fourth class attrition rate and fourth class performance in close order drill, physical training and knob knowledge.

Each year cadet companies compete for the Kelly Cup, which is awarded to the best-drilled fourth-class squad in the Corps of Cadets. The four best-drilled squads were chosen after preliminary competitions among all 20 cadet companies. The four that competed for the Kelly Cup Saturday morning were Echo, Sierra, Foxtrot and Hotel companies. The 2011 Kelly Cup goes to Sierra Company.